1. What was the most difficult assessment item you completed in COIS20025 this term (not counting the examination which is not until the examination period)?

Ans:

The most difficult one for me is assignment1. Although assignment 1 looks so simple now,but as it was the first time for me to prepare the assignments, it took more time  for me to complete it than the other two. As i did assignment 1 with much effort, it made me easy to takle with assignment 2. As was for the first time, it was the most difficult one for me and it needed to make more efforts on it. It really took a lot of time. First assignment helped me much in doing my second and weekly blogs.    

 2. What was difficult about it and how would you suggest it could be improved?

Ans: In the first part of my first assignment, i feel making the zero level DFD and the remaining diagrams which was asked, that me feel difficult. As it was for the first time, so only it was difficult. In my later assignment, it was not so tough because i got the exact picture of what was asked and what to be done. I need to be improved in essay writing which is not so easy to make the relavant points on what was asked, and even i got to improve in searching for the resouces also.

3.Name three (3) things you learnt this term in COIS20025.

Ans: In this term in COIS20025 i got the knowedge over fact finding techniques, ERD diagrams and System requirements. Fact finding techniques include:

• Who? Why?
• What? Why?
• Where? Why?
• When? Why?
• How? Why?

and Other fact finding techniques like:

• Document review
• Observation
• Questionaires and surveys
• Sampling
• Reasearch
• Interviews

ERD  means Entity relationship diagrams. The name itself tells that The relationship between two entities.

System requirements include:

• Output
• Input
• Process
• Performance
• Control

4.What career are you working towards? How will you be able to use the knowledge and skills learnt in this course in your future career?

Ans: I have experience in IT field in networking side. But till i join this course, i have no knowledge over  System development. Now i got a good knowledge on what a system analyst is? and how to make the best system by folowing different types of techniques and even by System requirements. I beleive i would be  the best System analyst in my career.

]]> http://vindu123.wordpress.com/2009/05/26/week12/feed/ 0 vindu123 http://vindu123.wordpress.com/2009/05/26/week10/ http://vindu123.wordpress.com/2009/05/26/week10/#comments Tue, 26 May 2009 05:26:32 +0000 vindu123 http://vindu123.wordpress.com/?p=27 ]]> The four types of maintenance task are:

Corrective Maintenance: This task diagnosis and corrects errors in an operational system. In addition to errors in the original version of the system, corrective maintenance often is needed to resolve issues created by previous maintenance changes. This task is needed in our current system in PTWIS because we have made changes in the original system. For example, the corrective maintenance will correct errors in the old system used in tuna tagging System. If system faces some problem in the storage of tuna tagging information data, the corrective maintenance will control it. The staff that is using the system will system request and the corrective maintenance team will analyze the request and then implement a solution to the problem.

Adaptive maintenance: Adaptive Maintenance adds enhancement to an operational system and makes the system easier to use. An enhancement is a new feature or capability. The need for adaptive maintenance arises from business environment changes such as new products or services. This task is useful in PTWIS. The procedure will be similar to that of corrective maintenance. The staff will send the request that is evaluated and prioritized by the systems review committee. The maintenance team analyzes the issue and implements the enhancement.

Perfective Maintenance:  This type of maintenance involves changing an operational system to make it more efficient, reliable or maintainable. The perfective maintenance is initiated by the IT department. There may be decline in the efficiency of the system due to changes in user activity or data pattern; in that case perfective maintenance might be needed to restore the performance. For example in tuna tagging information system there may occur decline in the efficiency of the system due to the usage of the data at different location in that case the perfective maintenance will be required. The procedure used for this maintenance is called as reengineering. This procedure uses analytical techniques to identify potential quality and performance improvements in an information system.

Preventive Maintenance: Preventive maintenance is also initiated by the IT department.  The preventive maintenance is used to avoid problems. Preventive maintenance requires analysis of areas where trouble is likely to occur. For example in tuna tagging information system the preventive maintenance will be used at areas where problem is likely to happen. Like there can be problem in maintaining the centralized system and this maintenance may help in solving the problem.

There are four methods available when it comes time to change from the original database management system to the new system.  Direct cutover is where the original system is turned off and the new system is turned.  From the point of cutover all work takes place with the new system.  Parallel operation is when the new system is turned on while the old system is still running.  The two systems run concurrently for a period of time until the old system is turned off.  Pilot operation is where only a small part of the original operation is switched to the new system to allow testing and training.  When the new system is proven the entire operation is switched to the new system.  Phased operation occurs when different areas of the operation are changed to the new system in carefully staged steps.  Following are the benefits and drawbacks of each system and where each is best used.

Direct Cutover.

The benefit of direct cutover is that is generally the least expensive option.  This is because there is only one system running at any time, which means the business only has to maintain the currently used system.  Some instances may occur where this is the only option available, for example where the old and new systems are not compatible.  Some of the drawbacks for this method are that any unforseen errors which occur may stop the system, causing processing to stop until the problem is fixed – there is no option to revert to the original system.  Cutover timing may also be critical for some businesses which have cyclical requirements, such as weekly, monthly, quarterly or annual reports.

Parallel Operation.

This method is quite often the most expensive and cumbersome, as data has to be entered into both systems while they are both running.  A big advantage is that the output from both systems can be compared for errors to see that the new system is performing as required.  Any problems caused by the new system can be minimised by continuing to use the old system until testing is complete.  One issue to be resolved prior to implementing this method is to ensure there are ample people and equipment to run both systems simultaneously.  This may mean hiring extra staff and/or hardware such as input terminals or PCs for the duration of parallel operation.  Data processing times may also cause delays if the hardware struggles under the workload of running two systems.

Pilot Operation.

This method is normally a combination of the parallel operation and direct cutover methods.  Using only a small part of the organisation where both systems have to run in parallel reduces costs while at the same time allowing testing on the new system in it’s operating environment.  Any system failures encountered during this time will have a reduced impact on the business.  After testing is completed at the pilot site, direct cutover can proceed for the entire with a greater level of confidence.

Phased Operation.

This method is sometimes confused with the pilot operation system.  The difference is that in a pilot operation the entire system is given to a small group, whereas with phased operation a part of the system is given to the entire organisation, followed by other parts at various intervals.  An advantage of this method is that any errors which may occur with the new system are limited to the module which has just been implemented, rather than affecting the entire operation.  It is also less expensive since only a portion of the old and new systems has to operate in parallel at any given time.  Phased operation is not possible if the system cannot be separated into logical blocks.

 Recommendation for the PTWIS.

Since this is a small operation with limited funds, the system I would recommend for the PTWIS is the direct cutover method.  The system does not deal with large quantities of data so the cutover would not pose significant risks.  There is also a limited number of users, compared to a multi-national corporation, so training in the new system would be much more manageable.  Most importantly, for an organisation which has to operate on limited funding, the reduced cost allows them to concentrate more on their primary business – recording fish data.

1. Shelly, G, Cashman, T and Rosenblatt, H 2007, System Analysis and design, 7^th edn, Thomson Course Technology, Boston

System Analysis and design by Gary Shally, Thomas J. Cashman and Harry J. Rosenblatt clearly explains the basic differences and similarities between traditional and object oriented approaches to system development. It states that both the approaches use the system development life cycle which include a series of stages such as analyse, design, implement and support an information system. It explains that the traditional approach is time tested and easily understandable, it deals with data and process separately whereas object oriented approach combines data and process into what is called objects. This book will provide the basic knowledge and provide some of the key points required for writing the academic essay on comparing and contrasting the traditional and object oriented approaches to system development.

1. Alan Dennir, Barbara Haley Wixom, Roberta M. Roth, System Analysis and Design, 3^rd edn.

System analysis and design by Denniso, Wixom, and Roth, explains traditional approach and object oriented approach. In this book, traditional approach focuses on the information system issues surrounding the system and on the other hand, objects oriented approach focuses on capturing the structure and behaviour of information system in little modules that encompass both data and processes.

3. Wainright Martin, E, Brown, C, Dehayes, D, Hoffer, J & Perkins, W 2002, Managing Information Technology, 4^th edn, Prentice Hall International Editions, New Jersey  

Managing Information Technology by Martin Wainright, Brown, DeHaves, and Hoffer explained that traditional approach can exist for all the system development phases where as object oriented approach has an advantage over traditional approach as it uses objects which are usually programmed by programmers. It explains that the key principles of object oriented approach are encapsulation and inheritance.

Answer: The similarity between the traditional and object oriented approach to information system, both uses system development life cycle (SDLC), including a series of phases such as plan, analyze, design, implement and support an information system. Traditional approach in system development life cycle (SDLC) was in the form of water fall model where the each phase of the model flows sequentially into the next phase, such as system planning to system to system analysis and then to system design up to system support, while object oriented approach usually follow a series of analysis and design phases that are similar to the SDLC, although there is less agreement on the number of phases and their names. Object oriented approach uses an interactive model, where planning, analysis, design tasks interact continuously to produce prototypes that can be tested and implemented.

Question: 2 Name one way that the traditional and object-oriented approaches to information systems development are different. Explain how they are different.

Answer: The traditional approach to information system is time tested and easy to understand. It treats processes and data as separate components whereas object oriented approach combines data and the processes that act on the data into things called objects. Traditional approach uses a set of process models to describe a system graphically. Because it focuses on processes that transform data into useful information. On the other hand, object oriented approach uses object models to represent data and behavior and to show how objects affect other objects. By describing the objects or data and processes needed to support a business operation, a system developer can design reusable components that allow faster system, implementation and decreased development cost.

There are two processes, named: CD / DVD  information and Counter payment.

Process name: CD / DVD information

Process number: The process number of the CD / DVD information is one.

                                                PROCESS DESCRIPTION

Purpose : The purpose of first process is that when customer gives order to salesperson  for CD/DVD  then the salesperson collects the information about CD/DVD from CD/DVD information which exists whole information about CD/DVD.

Input Data Flows:  Salesperson checks the CD/DVD information from process one that is the input data that information goes through DVD database which tells that CD/DVD available or not .

Output Data Flows: Salesperson receives information details for CD/DVD from process one that is output data flow.

Notes: In this process, it checks the availability about CD/DVD.

Process name: Counter payment.

Process number: The process number is two.

                                                PROCESS DESCRIPTION

 Purpose : The purpose of another  ‘counter payment’ process is that when the customer receives CD/DVD on rent  then he has to pay the rent on  counter. Counter keeps whole records about payment in the database ‘payment details’.

Input Data Flows: In this process, customer pays the rent on counter that is input data which goes through payment details database.

Output Data Flows:  In this process, customer takes receipt from counter payment and from counter the information about payment details goes into accounting that enters cash receipts information that is output data flow.

Notes: In counter payment process, it is important to keep the record about rent payment.

It tells that first of all there are two types of customer in cd/dvd rental  shop; one is old and another is new customer.Old cutomer requests for cd/dvd.if cd/dvd available then he borrows and pay rent and takes receipt from the rental shop.New customer gives information about himself and request for cd/dvd then salesman takes order and check order from the rental shop and supply cd/dvd in rental shop.After that customer pay in the rental shop then takes receipt.

   Details for O DVD for borrow cd/dvd from rental store:

Customer comes in shop and gives order to the salesman for particular cd/dvd.Salesman checks that cd/dvd is available or not from the cd/dvd information database then checks the rent and gives detail to the customer.Then customer pay the rent on counter payment and counter payment enters the receipt in accounting . After that customer takes receipt.

Answer: The traditional approach is time tested and easy to understand. It uses a series of phases,called the System Development Life Cycle,to plan,analyse,design,implement,and support an information system.Traditional approach uses a set of process models to describe a system graphically,because it focuses on processes that transform data into useful information.

                                                University Registration process

In this example we use some techniques :document review,observation, questionaires and surveys,sampling and search.

Ø  First of all student gives the full data about  himself to university  includes name, address,contact number,e-mail id,previous qualifications.

Ø  Student also provides course data ,which  perticular course he wants to do in the university.

Ø  Then university starts the registration process and provide form,ticket etc.

Ø  Student fills the form and goes to administration block and pay the fees completes others formalities.

Ø  In output, university provides id number,and other important cards to the student.

So traditional approach treats processes and data as separate components.

Question:2 What is the object-oriented  approach to systems development?

Answer: It describes an information system by identifying things called objects. System analysts use o-o model real world business processes and operations.The result is a set of software objects that represent actual people ,place,event or transaction.For example, when a patient makes an appointment to see a doctor,the patient is an object,the doctor is an object,and the appointment itself is an object.Using an o-o programming language,a programer then writes the code that creates the objects.

 One object send information to another objects by using a message.A message requests specific information from another object.It uses some techniques :document review,observation, questionaires and surveys,sampling and search. For example an order might send a message to a customer  object that requests a shipping address. When it receives the message, the customer object supplies the information. The order object has the capability  to send the message , and the customer object knows what actions to perform when it receives the message.

 Question3: What text books,journels and/or websites mightbe useful to search for articles about comparing and contrasting the traditional and object oriented approaches to system development?

Answer: Following books are useful for comparing:

• System analysis and design(seventh edition)

Authors: Shelly,Cashman,Rosenblatt

• An application-oriented approach

Authors: Philip M.Lewis,Arthur Bernstein,Michael Kifer

• Testing object oriented systems

Writer: Robert V.Binder

• Object oriented analysis

Author: John Deacon

 Reference:

System analysis and design(seventh edition) Authors: Shelly,Cashman,Rosenblatt

Answer: Pacific Tuna  Watch is an institution that has been charged with a project aimed at assessing the level of  tuna stocks in the west pacific tropical belt and to find out the movement patterns of tuna  around that region.The management of PTW has decided to set up an information system to computerise all records because effective information system help an organization support its business processes,carry out its mission.The members of PTW are experienced so they know  what sort of information is to be collected in order to carry  the analysis they need and the results to be documented.

Although they set up an information system to support  their business but they are facing many problems about capturing and storing data-

1. First of all,they are using different bits of software fo storing data types.for example  MS-Word for textual and tabular data,MS-Excel for tabular and graphs,MS-Access as a stand stone database with rudimentary functionality,graphics software for images,statistical analysis software for duplicate data and performing statistical analysis. 
2. As data is stored in different software packages or formats they are not in a standardised format due to this reason they are facing following problems

•  They cannot be share easily and as well it is difficult to do any meaningful statistical analysis.
• The information that is stored, is inconsistent, incomplete and in some cases duplicated
• There is the technical problem of maintaining and updating software all the time to be able to continue to record, store and access the information needed.
• Sometimes information on individual data items is not recorded.

 

• What information do you need to find out about the work of the Pacific Tuna Watch organisation to develop a detailed understanding of the current system?

Answer: As we know that ,the aim of  PTW is assessing the level of tuna stocks in the selected parts of the region.The information achieved from this project is important for making decisions. Catching the tuna, tagging them and then releasing them back into the ocean are the most important things for the project.

As starting the project, PTW has worked out a system for operating the tuna tagging project which consists of sending out a number of vessels on fishing trips to selected region. Each trip out to catch tuna is called a cruise. A fish school association location (FSAL) is a place or device out at sea around which tuna are plentiful. Each fishing stop at an FSAL is called an event.  

 

Most information is stored  in different formats. Following information is needed to determine about the work of the PTW organisation to develop a detailed understanding of the present system.We need to collect following  information about:

 

        i.            Each cruise  includes the period of the cruise, the vessel used, the skipper and the vast area it is to visit.

      ii.            Vessel  includes full  details about vessel name, date of launch, length, speed, fish holding capacity etc

    iii.            Crew staff  such as  names, address and contact, crew member’s job and experience.

 

    iv.            Each event, the location  of the FSAL is recorded as well as the type of FSAL, the date, fishing start time and stop time.

      v.            During the fishing period at each event, the tuna type, weight and length of each tuna caught is recorded. In addition, if the fish is not tagged then it is tagged and released and tag information is added to the record.

    vi.            Tag information. Three types of tags are usually used: conventional tags, archival tags and sonic tags and tagging involves inserting the tag into the body of the tuna securely so it does not dislodge.

  vii.            Types of tuna: SkipJack, Bigeye ad Yellowfin.

viii.            FSAL information. Four types are used: Anchored fish aggregating devices (FADs), sea mounts, logs and open-ocean locations.